Hosts England will take on Australia at the Edgbaston in the much-awaited second semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2019 on Thursday (July 11). Of late, The Three Lions boasts about a brilliant record against the Aussies in the One-day Internationals. To talk about England’s predicted playing XI, skipper Eoin Morgan won’t like to tinker much with the side.
With England banking on Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow at the top, Australia will be aiming to witness David Warner going berserk in Birmingham. Meanwhile, it would be interesting how
England will go against a side which is unbeaten in the history of World Cup semis.
Here’s England’s predicted playing XI for the semi-final against Australia:
Jason Roy:
Since Jason Roy has made a comeback, England line-up has looked more threatening, to say the least.
Roy is an explosive batsman, who on his day could decimate any high-quality bowling attack. Following a brilliant start in the final league stage game, he would be itching to make it count in the semis.
Jonny Bairstow:
Jonny Bairstow has been exceptional with the bat in hand. The quick learner of the game, Bairstow has slammed a fine ton in the previous match against New Zealand.
Equally, he would like to come good in a pulsating contest between bat and ball in Edgbaston.
Joe Root:
The backbone of English batting line-up Joe Root might not have a good record against Australia, but he is altogether a player to watch out for in the crucial game.
Root has the onus on his shoulders to deliver in the middle overs.
Jos Buttler:
Jos Buttler is a pure entertainer of the white-ball cricket. Buttler had shown what he could do in the middle overs.
Known for his power-hitting, Buttler is equally good at rotating the strike which playing an imperative role in the top-flight cricket.
Eoin Morgan:
The southpaw in the form of skipper Eoin Morgan needs to show more promise early on. Morgan, who had played some courageous knocks in the ongoing tourney.
Morgan has a major task on his shoulders.
Ben Stokes:
The prominent all-rounder Ben Stokes had played a couple of brilliant innings at the fag end of the innings. Overall, Stokes would be crucial with the ball as well in Birmingham.
Stokes could turn game on his head.
Chris Woakes:
Chris Woakes is crucial for England with the new ball. He has ten scalps to his name. Also, Woakes ability to strike at the lower order adds much to the Three Lions.
Woakes has a major role to play with the ball.
Liam Plunkett:
Liam Plunkett has featured in five matches, and he has done an exceptional job by bagging eight wickets. Plunkett’s ability to roll hands on the ball has given a tough time to the batters.
Also, he is handy with the bat as well.
Adil Rashid:
The prominent English leg-spinner Adil Rashid had a mixed run in the tournament so far. Rashid had snared eight wickets in nine matches.
Also, the Edgbaston wicket will assist the spinners given to the nature of the surface.
Jofra Archer:
The speedster Jofra Archer is the leading wicket-taker for England. Archer, who clocks at 90 miles, has bagged 17 scalps in nine matches.
He is known for using slower ones well. Thus, he would be crucial against Australia.
Mark Wood:
The exciting speedster Mark Wood has been in remarkable form. He has 16 wickets under his belt. Also, in the league stage fixtures, Wood had stemmed the run flow apart from picking wickets at regular intervals.